EU Undergraduate Admissions
Admissions
Welcome to DCU
We are delighted that you are considering applying to DCU. Before submitting an application, please explore the following useful resources to support you through the application process.
- Central Applications Office (CAO) - where all applicants presenting an EU qualification can apply for a place at DCU - www.cao.ie
- CAO Offer Dates - Please see offer dates section below
- EU Admission Queries - have you a question about applying to DCU, entry requirements or the offer process, then email ugadmissions@dcu.ie, where a member of the admissions team would be happy to answer your query.
- Applicants presenting Non-EU School Leaving examinations should visit the DCU International Admissions page.
- DCU Online Prospectus - for details about DCU programmes
- Admissions Changes: Following publication of the DCU prospectus each year, there can be changes to course offerings or entry requirements. This information is captured in the DCU Alert List which can be found on the CAO website here.
- Open Days & School Visits – the DCU Student Recruitment Team arrange Open Days and School visits, for further information, please visit the Student Recruitment webpage
- Fees Queries: Fees contact information can be found using this link, Fees Office.
- Accommodation Queries: Accommodation contact information can be found using this link, Accommodation Office.
School Leaving Applicants/Qualifications
Leaving Certificate & A levels
General Entry Requirements (GER) and Programme Entry Requirement (PER) information for all first year programmes at DCU can be found by clicking on this link.
EU School Leaving Examinations (outside Ireland and the UK)
Applicants presenting EU qualifications from outside Ireland should apply through CAO by 1st February.
Important DCU note: All supporting documentation must be posted directly to CAO. For applicants with results from previous years, this information must be uploaded to CAO within 10-14 days of submitting their CAO application. For those taking exams in this current year, these results must be submitted to CAO no later than 2nd August for Round 1. This is to allow adequate time for assessment and processing. Any results received after 2nd August may be considered for later rounds, provided places remain on programmes. Guidance with regard to submission of examination information to CAO can be found in the CAO handbook or through their website, www.cao.ie.
Applicants may obtain guidance on the approved qualifications acceptable for an application to DCU using the following link, EU Qual Guide. This guide outlines the general entry requirement for each examination and a subject guide to help with the translation of individual subject grades.
All applicants must present general entry and programme entry requirements as outlined in the DCU prospectus.
Further information related to DCU English Language Competency requirements can be found using this link, https://www.dcu.ie/registry/english.shtm
EU qualifications are manually calculated into a Leaving Certificate points equivalent. Eligible applicants compete with all other school leaving applicants, using the points calculated. Offers are made through CAO in August/September.
This CAO information sheet for EU applicants is a useful resource.
QQI FET
Who can apply: Applicants that have a full FET level 5 major award in the appropriate qualification, a minimum of 5 distinctions and any programme specific module requirements, may compete for a place based on their QQI points score.
Please note: Applicants with a full FET level 6 major award may also be considered for year 1 entry on satisfying stated entry requirements. This is primarily for programmes that do not have a specific award requirement. FET Level 6 applicants may also consider applying for advanced entry for some DCU programmes. Please see "Advanced Entry" application section below.
Which programmes can I apply to: DCU offers QQI FET entry routes to over 60 full-time Undergraduate courses. For courses with a QQI entry pathway, up to 10% of places are reserved for QQI applicants. Course quotas are subject to change.
DCU programmes with QQI FET Level 5 entry path are listed HERE
What are the entry requirements: To compete for a limited number of places, applicants must have a full Level 5 award in the appropriate qualification, with a minimum of 5 distinctions and any programme specific requirements. The requirements must be achieved in one sitting. For more detailed information on the QQI FET entry requirements to DCU, please use the link below. Using the drop down, select Dublin City University. This will display the minimum entry requirements for all DCU programmes with a QQI FET entry route.
QQI Offer Statistics
To review 2023 QQI FET offer statistics, which include the number of places on each programme, offers made and the cut-off points, please click here. This information is for guidance purposes only and quotas may change.
How do I apply: Apply through CAO.
For a step by step guide on how to complete an application, please visit the CAO FET Video Guide.
Who do I contact if I have a question:
You may like to review the CAO FET Information Guide.
If you have any questions about entry requirements or how to apply, please email the DCU Admissions Team: ugadmissions@dcu.ie.
If you would like to hear from current DCU students who came through a QQI route, want to visit DCU, explore our campus or hear about upcoming open days, please visit the DCU Student Recruitment team page.
Who can apply: Mature applicants are those aged 23 years, or above, on 1st January in the year of entry.
How do I apply: All candidates (presenting with EU/Non EU qualifications) applying on the grounds of mature years should apply ONLY through the Central Applications Office by 1st February.
CAO have a dedicated mature entry page with lots of useful information such as a mature student guide and information sheet.
For a step by step guide on how to submit a mature application through CAO, please review this CAO mature student presentation. A comprehensive personal statement must be submitted for assessment as a mature candidate to be processed.
What are the entry requirements: For many DCU programmes, mature application assessment is based on the CAO application and in some instances, an assessment and/or interview. 'Other' experience, apart from performance in examinations, may be taken into consideration - this may be work experience, further studies, or other such experience deemed to be relevant to the application. Interviews will take place in April either in person or remotely.
- For some programmes, mature applicants are required to present the entry requirements as outlined in the prospectus, such as Leaving Certificate Science, Mathematics, a Modern Foreign Language or Irish.
- Non-native English speakers will need to provide evidence of their English language competency.
- Applicants with no statement of interest will not be assessed for the mature entry route
Please note for the programmes listed below there are additional special mature application procedures:
Bachelor of Nursing Programmes
All candidates applying for the BSc in Nursing programmes must apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1st February regardless of their status as EU or Non-EU, or their eligibility to be considered as a mature applicant.
The application process for Mature Nurses has changed. Mature Entry candidates are assessed by the Nursing Careers Centre (NCC) of An Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, NMBI). More information available in the CAO Handbook
Please take a look at the Nursing Board website for application information and important dates:
https://www.nmbi.ie/Careers-in-Nursing-Midwifery/How-to-apply
The timetable for mature applicants is:
| Action for Applicant | Date | Where | |
| 1. | Apply to the CAO | By Feb 1st | CAO |
| 2. | Access test familiarisation material | See website for more details and dates | NMBI |
For details please visit: www.nursingcareers.ie or email: careersinformation@NMBI.ie to request a copy of their nursing and careers booklet. All candidates are required to apply through CAO.
Bachelor of Education
Mature applicants must apply to CAO by 1st February. In March, those meeting the eligibility criteria will receive an email from the CAO with a link to a supplementary form, instructions for completing and submitting this form. Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria and complete the supplementary form will be invited to attend for a general interview and oral Irish test. For further information about special entry requirements for these programmes, please see this link
Bachelor of Religious Education & Music (DC012)
This course is no longer restricted and applicants will not be required to take a music assessment but they must have a H4 in Music or equivalent. Applicants can also avail of the change of mind process (1st July) once they have made their initial application by 1st May.
Bachelor in Journalism (DC132)
Mature applicants must apply by the 1st February and are asked to submit, along with their other paper documentation, a hard copy of an article of c. 750 words of their own composition, written for a specific publication [published or unpublished]. If the article has been published, state when and in which publication. If the article is unpublished, indicate the newspaper or periodical for which you think your submission would be best suited.
Advanced Entry
Who can apply: Applicants that have successfully completed and passed at least one year of study at NFQ Level 6, 7 or 8 at another institution may apply to continue their studies on a similar programme at DCU. Precise requirements for each programme may vary. Evidence of significant overlap in content and learning outcomes of both programmes must be provided. Results from the successfully completed year must be submitted to the CAO by the closing date of 1st July.
Which programmes can I apply to: Advanced entry applications are accepted for many, but not all DCU programmes. A full list of programmes that permit advanced entry is available HERE. Availability of places may vary year on year and are not guaranteed each year. This is a competitive application process for a small number of advanced entry places. Offers will be made on a rolling basis, from the middle of July onwards, until all available advanced entry places are filled. Early application is advised.
How do I apply: Applications open in November and close on 1st July. Applicants apply via the Advanced Entry route on the CAO website.
All advanced entry applications must be accompanied by:
- Copies of award and transcripts
- A statement of interest
- A CV with any relevant information about previous experience, with references.
In addition to submitting an application through CAO, all supporting documentation, including cover sheet, must be sent to ‘Advanced Entry, CAO, Tower House, Eglinton St., Galway’. Failure to supply CAO with all relevant supporting documentation by the closing date (1st July) will result in your application not progressing to assessment stage.
For a step by step guide on how to submit an application, please visit the CAO Advanced Entry Guide.
Note: Applicants that may be interested in year 1 should also consider applying for standard undergraduate entry (Year 1) through CAO (www.cao.ie). This ensures that you are considered in both competitions, as the processes happen simultaneously, but separately.
Who do I contact if I have a question: If you have any questions please email advanced.entry@dcu.ie
HEAR
The Higher Education Access Route is a college and university scheme that offers a limited number of places on reduced points and extra college support to school leavers (those under the age of 23 as of 1st January in year of entry) from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds who are resident in the Republic of Ireland. Eligible applicants compete for a quota of reduced points places at DCU. The timeline for submission of an application for this scheme is as follows:
1st February - Make a CAO Application by 17.00
1st March - Fully complete your Application Form by 17.00
15th March - All supporting documentation must be received by CAO by 17.00
For further information contact DCU Access Service
DARE
The Disability Access Route to Education is a third level admissions scheme for school leavers (those under the age of 23 as of 1st January in year of entry) whose disabilities have had a negative impact on their second level education. The timeline for submission of an application for this scheme is as follows:
1st February - Make a CAO Application by 17.00
1st March - Fully complete your Application Form by 17.00
15th March - All supporting documentation must be received by CAO by 17.00
For further information contact DCU Disability Services
Performance Sport - CAO Points Concession
DCU has put in place a special academic entry scheme for performance athletes at undergraduate level. A number of academic places offering a CAO points concession are reserved for outstanding candidates who have achieved a very high level of sporting performance and who are committed to continuing to develop their sporting and academic careers. All applicants must present the DCU general entry and programme entry requirements, as outlined in the DCU prospectus. Under this scheme, applicants are not assessed solely on the basis of their academic performance, their sporting achievements are also taken in to consideration. Applicants should apply through CAO by the normal closing date of 1st February or before the late closing date of 1st May. Applicants should complete a DCU online application form which will open on 1st February and will be available HERE shortly. The closing date for applications is 1st May. Paper applications will not be accepted.
For further information on the scheme, please visit the Performance Sports page here.
All EU school leaving applications apply through www.cao.ie.
Applicants presenting EU qualifications apply and if eligible, receive an offer through the CAO. CAO issue offers in different periods throughout the summer and those periods are outlined below. Please check your emails and your CAO application portal for updates on any potential offer from DCU.
CAO Round A
This CAO Round of offers is mainly for mature applicants and CAO deferred applicants. Offers are issued at the beginning of July through the CAO portal. Please check your emails and CAO application portal for communication relating to your application to DCU. For further information please visit www.cao.ie or contact ugadmissions@dcu.ie
CAO Round 0
This CAO Round of offers is mainly for further education applicants. Offers are issued at the beginning of August through the CAO portal. Please check your emails and CAO application portal for communication relating to your application to DCU. For further information please visit www.cao.ie or contact ugadmissions@dcu.ie
CAO Round 1
This CAO Round of offers is mainly for applicants present school leaving qualifications (Leaving Certificate, A Levels, other EU school leaving qualifications). Offers are issued at the in August/September through the CAO portal. Please check your emails and CAO application portal for communication relating to your application to DCU. For further information please visit www.cao.ie or contact ugadmissions@dcu.ie
Are you presenting an EU qualification for entry to DCU and would like advice about making an application, have a query about entry requirements or want more information about the offer process? Our undergraduate admissions team would be happy to assist.
Undergraduate admissions – Applicants presenting EU Qualifications –, please email ugadmissions@dcu.ie, where a member of the admissions team will be in touch with you.
Undergraduate admissions – Applicants presenting Non-EU Qualifications – Applications are through the DCU application portal, please visit our International Admissions Page or email internationaladmissions@dcu.ie
Post Acceptance Information
In August each year, the following webpage will be available to guide you through the next steps of the process in joining DCU. This will provide information about how to accept your offer, how to get registered and will provide information about orientation.
Information for DCU Registered Students Only
Internal Transfers (Transferring within DCU)
There is no internal transfer route for new first year DCU entrants. Applicants that accept a place at DCU and subsequently decide they do not want the offer should liaise with admissions. Applicants may consider deferring their place or applying for an internal transfer following successful completion of first year.
For further information on the internal transfer at the end of first year, please visit https://www.dcu.ie/registry/application-form-internal-transfer-applican….
Internal Transfers (Bachelor of Business Studies Programme)
For further information on the internal transfer process to the Bachelor of Business Studies programme at the end of first year, please visit https://www.dcu.ie/registry/internal-transfer-application-bachelor-busi…